Got Goals?

It's been over a year since I've blogged, but I knew it would be a rocky start. This year (2015) I'm going to keep it simple and just document my natural hair journey. I did end up chopping my straight ends off. I've signed up for CurlBox, which is a company that sends product samples for curly hair each month. 

This is my first month receiving the CurlBox and I used the product Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Leave-In Conditioner for this twistout.

Current Regimen:

Shampoo: Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo (the most moisturizing shampoo that I've ever used--has no sulfates and still lathers--it's just great)

Deep Conditioning Treatment: Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque (I think my hair loves shea butter) 

Today's Twistout =  ElastaQP + Castor Oil in flat twists

The ElastaQP Leave-in smells great but does not make my hair feel as moisturized as Taliah Waajid's Curly Curl Cream. It's not any shinier either. My best twistout result to date was the results of that curly curl cream and castor oil. When traveling, I use Jane Carter Solution's Nourish and Shine. Castor oil doesn't travel well due to leakage.

My goal is to reach bra-strap length (BSL) by the end of 2015. The way I plan to achieve this is by:

Regular trims (every 3 months)

Biweekly deep conditioning and protein treatments

Vitacost Hair, Skin, and Nails Pills (daily)

Inversion Method (once a month)

Getting Fit

I am a group fitness instructor at my school, so you would think that I would lead a thoroughly fit lifestyle. WRONG! While my exercise regimen is pretty solid, my eating habits are terrible. That's actually why I started working out in high school--to eat whatever I want and stay thin. Now that I'm getting a little bit older, I notice my eating really needs to change. 

Les Mills has come out with a 21 Habit breaking eating plan that is supposed to help you break your bad eating habits by keeping you cognizant of what you are putting in your body. It's basically a low carb diet with a healthier twist. You don't cut out carbs, just bad carbs. 

If your bathroom scales are looking at you funny, your favourite jeans have muffins growing out of them and your friends have started telling you how wonderful your ‘curves’ are, put down the fork and try the LES MILLS™ 21 Day Challenge. Please note - this Challenge may not be suitable for everyone. We strongly recommend that you consult with your physician or other qualified health professional before starting out on this program to ensure that you do not have any medical conditions or dietary needs that make the LES MILLS™ 21 Day Challenge unsuitable for you.

The LES MILLS™ 21 Day Challenge is a reduced carb diet that uses healthy eating habits and a three week period to help detox your body so that you can start fresh with more conscious behaviours around food.

You can find that on http://www.lesmills.com/global/community/nutrition-21-day-challenge.aspx and more!

I'm currently on day 2! I am 5'6" and weigh 142 lbs. I don't know my waist measurement yet because I don't have a tape measure, but I will update that as soon as I know so we can keep track.

Going Natural

I started with a short haircut. I had highlights that broke the back of my hair terribly! Officially done with chemicals, I got a pixie cut and braided my hair up!

I would wear my hair straight by just adding lots of HEAT to my roots until my roots were just too long and I went to my twisted, curly fro (shown in pic).

After a year, I got a Brazilian keratin treatment (Copoman = brand) to loosen my curls and reduce frizz. It was supposed to wear off after 3 months, but after 5 months, it was only starting to wear off. My straight ends were almost gone after trimming for a year, because i did not big chop. When I got it the second time (too soon) it straightened the ends of my hair (that already had the product on it).

Now I'm back to transitioning, which sucks! This time around, I am going to embrace my texture and understand the extra hardship I'm putting myself through by NOT big chopping. The second picture is me now, a little burnt out after countless products and styles. My fallback is a twist out, but it doesn't last for more than a day (my straight ends lose their curl). 

In a month and a half (after graduation) I will big chop my hair. Until then, I am on a quest to find products and styles that work best for us transitioners!